Why Continued Care supports the #hellomynameis campaign

The inspirational #hellomynameis campaign for more
personalised care was launched five years ago by Dr Kate Granger MBE, a
registrar in elderly medicine who had terminal cancer.

Following her own experience of the impersonal care she
received while in hospital, Dr Granger set out to improve the way NHS staff
communicate with patients, launching the #hellomynameis campaign while battling
her incurable disease.

The initiative aimed to highlight to healthcare staff the
importance of introducing themselves properly to patients, not just through
common courtesy but also as a way of establishing trust and making a human connection
with someone at a very vulnerable and painful time of their lives.

Sadly, Dr Granger, died in 2016 at the age of 34. She had
reached her target of raising £250,000 for cancer charities, as well as
receiving a tremendous response to the #hellomynameis campaign.

The initiative has so far been supported across the world by
over 400,000 health workers and 90 NHS organisations, and continues to be
widely promoted through a range of health and social care settings today. It is
a movement we fully advocate here at Continued Care.

Even the smallest things can make a big difference to our
clients’ day-to-day lives, and our carers understand this and offer valuable
support. We all understand the care system is under pressure, but there is no
excuse to let this impact on the personal side of caring for someone.

Just taking the time to talk or finding out if there is
anything extra they need can really raise someone’s mood. It may be as simple
as a walk around the garden and enjoying some fresh air, buying a newspaper or
arranging an appointment.

Spending time in people’s homes means we see first-hand what
is troubling or bothering them. Even a small intervention can mean so much to
the person we are caring for and our staff do their best to make a difference
wherever they can.

As a care provider, we are also very aware of the negative
impact loneliness can have on both health and wellbeing. It is a topic very
much in the spotlight, and the recent publication of the BBC Loneliness Experiment makes interesting reading. Older people who may be too frail to leave their home can
often experience loneliness and it is our job to support them. Personalised
care, in our view, is a way of combating loneliness because it leads to better
conversations and understanding so people receive more tailored support to suit
their needs.

By following the #hellomynameis message, not only can all
caregivers offer courtesy and respect to their clients, but they also gain the
privilege of getting to know them better and building their trust, helping to
make their lives that little bit easier.